MEDIA RELEASE

A 42-year-old man has been charged with a variety of offenses after he was arrested Sunday (February 27, 2005) for allegedly firing a weapon in the Leilani Estates subdivision of Puna.

The suspect was identified as Michael R. Kapika, of a Pahoa address.

On Monday evening (February 28, 2005), East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Kapika with an illegal place to keep firearms, second-degree reckless endangering, failing to register a firearm and having no permit to acquire firearms. Kapika is being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $3,500 bail.

Kapika was arrested Sunday when Puna patrol officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots being fired in the residential area of the Leilani Estates subdivision.

On arrival, two officers found Kapika walking on the roadway holding a shotgun. The suspect quickly dropped the gun and surrendered to police.